A second group of even ‘older’ kids were seated in a circle in the middle of the room. There were no overalls or pull-ups peaking out of skirts among this group. These former young adults rocked eagerly back and forth on their butts while one young man in a red Cars t-shirt circled them, patting heads and singing “Duck, duck, duck, duck… goose!”
He bopped the pig-tailed head of a young woman and then took off running around the outside of the circle while she gave chase. Their giggles echoed through the room.
Brian took in the room as the carer led them across it. Tonka trucks and Matchbox cars were scattered across the carpet. Stuffed animals were discarded here and there. The walls were a bland crème tone, and the carpet originally must have been brown. Both the walls and carpet were tarnished by stains.
This room wasn’t meant for toddlers though. No, the carer was leading them past this play room and into an adjoining one. As soon as they entered this second room it was apparent that it was meant for younger kids. The walls were painted in a mural of rainbows and bucolic scenes of fields and playful animals. It was so saccharine sweet it made Rachel want to gag.